"There is so much writing in English on Japanese cinema that can't be accepted at face value — not because the writers are careless, but because the differences in culture and language are just too intricate. When I see August Ragone's name on a piece of writing, it gives me permission to place my faith in it completely. Among Japanese fantasy film historians, he's the best working in English."—Tim Lucas, Video Watchdog

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

MORE "FAMOUS JAPANESE MONSTERS" ARE HERE! "Clash of the Kaiju!" Run Amok in FM #262

新発売!『フェイマス・モンスターズ』No. 262の怪獣映画大全!

Another stunning kaiju cover by the redoubtable Bob Eggleton!

As the old saying goes, you can't keep a good kaiju down! So, in the monstrous footsteps of the Sold Out success of "Famous Monsters of Filmland" #259 (including a coveted Rondo Award for my interview with Haruo "Mr. Godzilla" Nakajima), the Kaiju Krew is back again for another "All Japanese Monsters" issue, in the tradition of the legendary FM #114!

This time around, we've got more variety and close-up looks at films and television shows that aren't covered elsewhere. For starters, we have my feature on the new SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: 2199 (and reviews of the recent live action version from 2010 and the animated feature film from 2009 by Tim Eldred) as well as solid features on THE SPACE GIANTS (by Roy Ware), SPECTREMAN (by Edward Holland), VARAN THE UNBELIEVABLE (by Bob Eggleton), INAZUMAN (by David E. Chapple), MATANGO (by Jason Varney), an overview of contemporary monster makers Tomo'o Haraguchi and Fuyuki Shinada (by Jim Cironella), and an in-depth comparison of the 1990s Godzilla and Gamera films (by Matt Frank).

Plus, there are pieces on THE WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS (by Richard J. Schellbach), IDW's Godzilla comic (by Holly Interlandi), Kaiju Eiga on Super 8mm (by David McRobie), an In Memoriam listing of Japanese filmmakers and creators who've left us over the last year (by John Paul Cassidy), and a look at some upcoming Japanese toys being released in the US (not to mention an interview with Rick Baker on his retro-aliens for MIB 3).

There is also a special "Monster World" logo cover available as well (see below)! Even before this hits the stands, I've been told by the Grue Crew at FM that this issue is selling out — FAST — so don't miss out and order directly from the Captain Company, TODAY! But, don't despair... There will be another "All Japanese Monsters Issue" coming next year... Same Gyaos Time, Same Gyaos Channel!

Who is this Greaseball? このグリースボールは誰ですか？

Two-time Rondo Award-winning author of EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS. August has commented on Japanese film and popular culture on radio, television, in print, online, and at events for more than three decades. As a teen, he served as Horror Host Bob Wilkins' "Japanese Film" & "Godzilla Expert" at KTVU TV-2. And has lectured at Lucasfilm.

He has contributed liner notes for numerous DVD releases, edited and authored over 150 subtitle scripts, and written for periodicals such as Japanese Fantasy Film Journal, Filmfax. Video Watchdog, Asian Cult Cinema, Henshin! Online, Oriental Cinema, G-Fan, Super7, Otaku USA, and Famous Monsters of Filmland.

As an events promoter, the San Francisco-born native hosted the "Japanese Fantasy Film Faire" (1979), the first Anime & Tokusatsu event outside of Japan, and has gone on to produce live music and multi-media events including The Sleazefest, Incredibly Strange Wrestling, The Greaseball, Godzillafest, and Shock It To Me!.